1. Finding the hidden jobs
Louise Bamford
l.bamford@westminster.ac.uk
Careers Consultant
Career Development Centre
www.westminster.ac.uk/careers
2. Objectives
This session will help you to:
• Understand the different routes into
employment
• Find and research jobs / employers
• Approach employers in a professional
manner
• Re-assess and re-focus your job search
strategy
3. Getting started
• What job do I want?
• What have I got to offer?
• What jobs are out there?
4. Deciding what you want
Skills, interests and values
• What are you good at?
• What is important to you?
• What are you willing to do?
Careers website – finding work, what
career would suit me?
9. Open job market
• Internet (company websites, job boards etc)
• Local and national press
• Recruitment fairs
• Recruitment agencies
• Jobcentre Plus
Careers website – finding work, finding work by
subject / sector
10. Finding the hidden jobs
• Work experience through temping
and volunteering
• Networking
• Informational interviewing
• Speculative applications
• Cold calling - in person, by phone
S
C
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O
M
E
T
E
R?
12. Networking
• Family, friends, fellow students
• Clubs and associations
• Tutors and careers consultants
• Previous employers
• Professional associations / events
• Alumni Association
• Social networking online
13. Networking
Generating opportunities……
• Most people find networking scary – US
survey said dying was only the third worst
thing that can happen to you
• It’s the quality of your relationships and
how you leverage your networking, not
the number of business cards you collect
• Being interested Vs interesting
14. Networking
• Make it known that you are looking for work and
what it is that you can do, enquire about what
they do and if they know anyone in the industry
who might be able to help you
• Use a broad spectrum of communication
methods: face-to-face, phone calls, emails, social
networking sites, online discussion forums
• By utilising your network, you are utilising
the network of everyone within that network too
15. The networking pyramid
Networking strategy – who, why,
what?
Working the room – small
talk, etiquette
Permission to explore
/ follow up
Follow up
One to
one
Keep in
touch
Positive
outcome
16. Social networking
Linkedin, twitter, facebook.....
• Establish contact with professionals you
have recently met
• Research or follow specific companies /
personnel
• Identify industry trends
But take care over your online profile.....
17. Networking/informational
interviewing exercise
• Write “ME” in the middle of a piece of
paper
• Pick a job that you’d like. Who do you
know who might be able to help you with
finding information about the job and
potential vacancies?
18. Networking exercise
Runs own building firm
and does own HRTony
(Uncle)
Theresa
(Neighbour)
Works in a recruitment
agency
Jenny
(Zumba)
Welfare officer in
a bank
Matthew
(Brother)
Julie
(Friend)
H&S trainer
Sumi
(Colleague)
Nigel
(ex colleague)
Trade Union
Officer
Mark
(Her husband)
Plays squash with NHS
HR manager
As you start chasing leads, you can add to it. The above does not include contact
through groups (alumni association), online (linkedin) or ‘warm’ leads HR at
work / at university.
ME
19. Informational interviewing
• Find someone who knows about a field or
occupation
• Ask for a short interview
• This is not JOB SEARCH – it is
RESEARCH
• Helps you to find out about roles and fields
• Can reveal the hidden jobs
• Widens your network
21. Speculative applications
• Do your research
• Target named person, with a relevant role
in the organisation
• Develop a persuasive, targeted CV and
covering letter
• Follow up with a phone call
• Ask for further contacts
• Be persistent
22. Re-boot your Campaign
• Know yourself, know your market
• Applications for advertised vacancies
• Networking and informational interviewing
• Speculative approaches
• Freelance/consultancy work
• Short contracts / Volunteering
• Recruitment agencies
23. Your action plan
• What are you aiming for?
(Your career goals)
• What is your current situation?
(Job hunting activities underway)
• What actions will you take?
(Specific action steps with target dates)
24. Useful links
• AGCAS journey to work – networking guide
• Career player – networking, job hunting, social
media
• Linkedin – student guides to getting started
And for advertised positions, don’t forget....
CDC - www.westminster.ac.uk/careers
• Online jobs and events system
• Finding work by subject / sector
25. Further information and
guidance
Career Development Centre:
• 20-minute quick queries: including
CV, covering letter, application form advice
• 45-minute: individual career coaching,
detailed career planning, mock interviews
CDC resources:
• CV Guide
• Free sector-specific and general careers publications
(1 to 1 services available for 3 years after graduation,
plus 18 months access to jobs and events system)
26. Contact us
Harrow
Harrow Campus
Room EG.16
Maria Hewlett Building
Nearest tube: Northwick Park
Central London
Cavendish House
1st Floor
101 New Cavendish Street
Nearest tube: Warren St/
Goodge St/Gt Portland St
Tel: 020 7911 5184
E-mail: careers@wmin.ac.uk
www.westminster.ac.uk/careers
27. In summary
• Know what you have to offer and what you
want
• Know what’s out there
• Develop your network
• Plan your campaign
• Review it regularly
• Keep going!
……..and, if you need help, seek advice and
guidance
Editor's Notes
No magic wand Job search in earnest can take anything from 6 months to a year – about how you market yourself that will make the difference
Think about your preferences in terms of working environment, fit with organisation, likes and dislikes – Adult directions, prospects planner Do a skills audit – what am I good at? Think about the skills that employers are looking for (will talk more about this later) Recognised key sources CDC webpages occupational sectors ‘ Your career, what next?’
Draw up a hit list of companies Sector Vs occupation Occupation Vs Sector
Large firms primarily recruit through own website and placement schemes Smaller firms more likely to recruit via speculative approaches Fewer vacancies with large firms – think about casting your net widely by looking at other kinds of firms, for example; If you can’t find a job in any of these areas, you can always create your own job. Can you think of any employer at the moment that is virtually recession-proof?
Most people love to job search via the internet, but it is the least effective method; An email is forgotten in 15 mins A phone call may stick in the memory for a few days A face to face conversation is likely to be remembered far longer if you follow it up Useful fact: job seekers and employers use opposite strategies to achieve the same results (which makes you wonder how anyone ever gets a job at all!) At the two ends of the spectrum: Employers will prefer to take on someone they know (via networks, recommendations or internships); it is relatively risk free and they know what they are getting. Job seekers prefer to respond to advertised posts, of which there are hundreds of applicants all hoping to be shortlisted; for the employer, this is a high risk form of recruitment, as they never really know what they are going to get.
Networking tip; give your time generously
Other most scary things: giving large presentations and entering a room full of people you don’t know! Quality of networking = making your conversations count Interested Vs interesting: how can you help the other person
Have a set of questions ready Find out about the person’s job role, sector info, how to get into field etc Try to get a follow up contact name or organisation Don’t forget to thank them for their time Informational interviewing Important: You are NOT looking for a job, you are looking for INFORMATION Make contact with people doing the sorts of role/type of work in which you are interested Ask if you can discuss their job with them Prepare a list of questions. What information do you want from them? What is involved in a typical working day? What qualifications did you need? Do they enjoy the work? What’s the best aspect? Worst aspect? Do they know of anyone else who might be looking for new staff/able to offer work experience/shadowing? Hopefully, you will get another contact who you can either arrange another informational interview with OR to whom you can send a speculative application
Mention in your Covering letter that you will be following up with a phone call.